Press release 21 January 2008

The Prime Minister announced today a  £9 million investment program to support sporting projects in five developing countries around the world. The pilot is the start of a larger programme called International Inspiration which will deliver on the promise made to the IOC in Singapore of engaging and inspiring the youth of the world through sport.

The pilot programmes are taking place in Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Palau and Zambia and project work has already started in each of these countries. In India, the Prime Minister is visiting Delhi where he attended an event featuring young schoolchildren playing mixed sex football matches and met with Lakshmi, a tribal girl archer from Jharkhand who is now a world class athlete.  He also met UK teachers from schools involved in the programme.

Funding for the pilot programme, which runs until 2010 and is being led by UK Sport, the Government’s international sports agency, includes contributions from DFID, UNICEF, the British Council, the FA Premier League and the DCMS.  Further announcements on how the programme will develop beyond the pilot will be made in the coming months.

Speaking in India, which will receive £3.6million of the funding for projects across the country, the Prime Minister said: “International Inspiration will use the power of sport to transform the lives of millions of children and young people in schools and communities in countries across the globe. It will seek not only to help deliver the ambitions promised in Singapore but also to lay the foundations for a long term international legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It’s a programme of which I am immensely proud, and the work going on here in India is a testament to its importance.”

International Inspiration will look to create opportunities for children and young people of all abilities from the most disadvantaged communities in the world to enrich their lives by playing and excelling in sport. The programme aims include ensuring that any work done is sustainable and will have a lasting benefit across the communities it embraces.

Each pilot country will benefit from a number of mutually agreed programmes across the following three strands:

• physical education in schools and school links
• sport development and sporting excellence,
• human and social development through sport  

International Inspiration will also have a strong link back into the UK through school links, providng opportunities for the partners to demonstrate the impact of their work overseas to children and young people across the country and raise awareness of the issues faced in the developing world.

'This is a fantastic programme, and one which is a cornerstone of the Olympic legacy.  Part of the success of our 2012 bid was the promise that London would inspire children across the world, and this is one important step toward that ambition.  Sport is the catalyst for many very positive changes, and the International Inspiration programme aims to harness its power and inspire generations of people in countries around the world.'  

Tessa Jowell, Olympics Minister

'Our vision is to use the power of the games to inspire change - and changing the lives of young people in particular is the driving force behind our plans. As part of our pledge to the IOC in Singapore, we committed to inspire young people around the world to choose sport. This is a tangible example of how we are delivering on this promise and using the power and magic of sport to change the lives of young people around the world - and leave a lasting international legacy.'  

Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of LOCOG

'We have an incredible opportunity to use the International Inspiration sports initiative to improve the health and education of millions of children in developing countries. Sport is a natural medium for engaging and empowering young people and can provide them with essential life skills such as leadership, self-confidence and team work. The potential of sport as a tool to promote human development should not be underestimated.'  

Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development

'UK Sport is delighted to be leading this unique Programme. It is very important that we do everything in our power to maximise the global legacy of London 2012 and International Inspiration gives the UK a formidable platform to start achieving this. We very much look forward to working with our partners on the pilot to ensure its success and expand it further, using the experience and expertise we have built up over many years of running international development through sport programmes.'  

Sue Campbell, Chair of UK Sport

'For children in the developing world, sport can be a powerful force for advancing their health, education and well-being. UNICEF UK is excited to be part of the International Inspiration programme which will harness the power of sport and give millions of children in disadvantaged communities the chance to take part in sport and transform their lives.'  

David Bull, Executive Director of UNICEF UK

'We are delighted to be involved in this important new initiative which we hope will be a lasting contribution to the legacy of London 2012. With our partners we will work with young people from around the world, using the inspirational power of sport to help them develop new skills and take their place as members of the global community.'  

Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council